, 1887-05-25

Don't speak slightin' o. that room, my
chile. Yorc father died in thar"
Yes, l know that, an 1 b'leve I'd die
II 1 wuz to go in thar now. / knin't hep
you must furgive me-but I KANT hep
but think o. that as my fool room"
wy, ZanbyI"
81 know l oughtent ter say 1t, mother.
but l KANT hep but think o. it that way.
IL was in thnr / fust heard o. my comm
greatness. You would go inthar by your
self ter mourn but tuck me in ter make
me feel prond o. myself; nm long time
ago, when we'd set in thar, I'd think it
wuz a blessed privilege to be a cripple.
Yes, mother, that is my fool room"
She stood in the back yard and looked
after him when he walked down tho
branch, deeply troubled. When he came
home at evening, his mother, hoping that
lie had repented Of what he said, took him
by the hand and gently attempted to draw
him into the dark room. .
81 will not go in the fool room," he
said rather harshly, but quickly putting
his withered arm around her neck, he
softly added: Mother, you must not ask
me ter go in thar
'Jes' one more time, fur l feel like the
spirit o. yore father Is thar."
He heSitated a moment LONGER, then
suffered her to lead him into the room.
When they came out he was laughing.
"Yous shall have hundreds o. fine dresses
when l make laws he said. "You
shnn't do no work, nm Wen ride in a fine
carriage"
lie put his sound arm around her neck,
drow her to him and kissed her.
Eyes, an Wen be SO happy then. won't
we, SON"
.'Yessum, an Wen eat pie"
Am put a whole lot o. Jam on wheat
bread"
YES" she said.
AN we'll give all the con bread ter
the hogs" he continued. "Oh, iemmc
tell you" he delightedly exclaimed, again
drawing her to him with his sound arm,
"lm goin' ter git you one o. these here
purity striped dresses"
"YeS, SON"
Am | won't have no patched brltches,
neither"
mo"
But Will dress fine"
Eyes"
When he had gone to sleep she gathered
him into her arms and let her heart throb
against him.
The next morning he got up laughing,
and, when she stood In the door watching
him as he walked away, he turned around
and %joyously waved his hand at her. He
did not return until late in the evening.
She sprang toward him. He put out his
withered arm, She Gazed at him n mo
ment, n hen taking his hand, at
tempted to lead him. He drew back with
a shudder.
81 will not Gsjnto the fool room" he
said. You needn't beg me, mother. ]
swear that l hope to die If 1 ever go in
there again"
my son, what is the matter with
your
81 am no longer a fool, that's all. You
shut my eyes that night, but they are
open now"
What has opened themf"
you shut hem"
But who opened themf"
Without replying, he went into his own
room and shut the door. The next day
she attempted to follow him, but he drove
her back. Shortly after he had gone, u
neighbor, an old woman, came over and
asked II Zanby were home.
"Whut makes you askf"
Didn't know, but he-wall, the truth
il, he is nearly dyin' about her"
Who" the old woman gasped.
miss Reynolds"
Zunby's mother sank down with u
groan. 81 reckon you must have seed
her." the neighbor continued. Ever
Nctg w INV Una blu . II peal CCb anu
puttlest creetur that ever come round
here. They say that Znnby is nearly dead
about her. Pity, for she's dun engaged
ter n jedge. WY, Zanby amt seed her
but n few times, an l don't reckon she
ever seed him a tall, to kno him. Well,
l must run back"
Zanby stood behind q tree, gazing at a
beautiful girl, dressed In white. She was
gathering overs. Zanby slipped froH
behind the tree and approached her.
There's that poor little cripple again, I"
she unused. He took OFF his hat.
Good morning, - said the young lady.
In attempting to bow he leaned over too
far and fell.
Poor little fellow ~ she exclaimed, run
ming to him. He scrambled to his feet
and gazed at her.
do you owe fiowersSr she asked, not
knowing what else to say.
81 love one flower, F" he replied.
"Only one' Why, 1 love them oil. Which
n do you lover"
you"
kindly replied. "You don't know me well
enough"
II know you well enough to die for you"
''This is serious" she unused, and then,
with q laugh full OF music, said: "You
must never think of dying for any one,
but live"-
81 WILL" he broke in. 81 will live for
you. l am not n fool now"
ooh, no, you IRE not q fool"
~ ken never be a statesman"
She laughed. He bit his lips. 81 must
60" she said.
wait, " he said.
mo, l must 60"
He attempted to take her hand. go
away, you impudent little thing. Go
away, and dom come hack here again"
The widow waited until midnight, and
then, rs Zanby had not come, she aroused
the neighbors. Early the next morning
he was found, lying in the branch. His
withered arm lay across his face. Friends
assembled ut the house, hut the old woman
and her son were nlone in the fool room, +"
-Opie p. Read in Arkansaw Traveller.
The Order of Domestic Service.
A new and unique society has been
formed in England. chilled nthe Honor